Place: Mclaren Vale, SA

Variety: Cabernet Franc

Farming: Organic

Contrary to his nickname, Brad 'Brash' Hickey is deliberate and softly-spoken. He traded the floors of the New York restaurant scene for the vineyards of McLaren Vale for the reason any of us move to the other side of the world: love. Nicole Thorpe's roots extend three generations deep into the soils of the Vale and the estate vineyard, Omensetter, was planted by Nicole in 1997.

This is their great take on cabernet franc, showing none of that under-ripe green character. It’s incredibly fresh with a lovely satin texture that lingers long.